Polish native weeps as Judge grants bails

A man who appeared in court this morning charged in connection with the discovery of a cannabis factory in the Waterside, wept as the District Judge granted him bail.

Lukasz Majchrzykiewicz, who is originally from Poland, but now resides at Landsdowne Road, faced 12 charges relating to a search of his property on December 17.

They include possession of a Class B amphetamine, cultivating cannabis, possession of amphetamine with intent to supply, permitting his premises to be used for the production of cannabis, dishonestly using electricity, possession of a Class B drug, possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to supply, handling stolen goods namely a bank card, and damaging electrical cables and metering equipment.

Majchrzykiewicz, who was assisted in court by an interpreter, spoke only to acknowledge that he understood why he had been brought o court.

A PSNI constable told the court that following a search of Majchrzykiewicz’s garage on Thursday police had uncovered 12 mature plants and 16 young plants, as well as half a kilo of herbal cannabis that had been harvested.

He added that they also found a small bag containing 120 grams of what they believed to be speed.

The court was told that in the house police found a small container with herbal cannabis and a bag with 27 grams of what they believed to be heroin.

Opposing bail police told the court that the drugs seized were estimated to have a street value of £20,000 and they feared that Majchrzykiewicz would try and recoup that loss or try and leave the jurisdiction.

“During the search it was mentioned about getting passports,” a police constable told the court.

“We have one other person we need to speak to in relation to the investigation.”

Defence solicitor Nicki Rountree said an alternative address in Coleraine had been put forward for her client and added that there would be no question of flight or speaking to other potential witnesses as police had her client’s mobile phone and passport.

She added that her client had lived in Northern Ireland for ten years, has a four-year-old daughter and his girlfriend is currently pregnant.

“My client has a full time job in Seagate,” she said. “However he is currently off on statutory sick pay as he suffers from depression.”

District Judge Philip Mateer released Majchrzykiewicz on his own bail of £500 with a number of restrictions.

Majchrzykiewicz must now reside at an address at Grassmere in Coleraine.